Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender launch new party aimed at political centre, promising ‘reason over rage’

New party dubbed Community Strong Australia follows secret talks about future of community independents Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Teal independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have launched a new political party called Community Strong Australia, with the stated aim of providing a centrist alternative for voters amid the rise of One Nation and turmoil inside the Coalition. The party will focus on issues including housing affordability, cost of living, climate change, childcare, education, healthcare and social cohesion, according to Steggall, the member for Warringah. She and Spender have distanced the new party from the Climate 200 movement and its major donors, including Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brooks, stating on Thursday they would not be involved. The pair denied the move was a bid to skirt new political electoral laws – including spending and donation caps – which disadvantaged smaller players. Community Strong Australia, which carries teal-coloured branding, would “support community-backed candidates” for election in both the House of Representatives and Senate, Stegg